What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hookah
Example
We went to the hookah lounge last night and tried a new flavor. [hookah: noun]
Example
She offered me a puff from her hookah pipe. [hookah: adjective]
narghile
Example
The narghile was passed around the group, each person taking a turn. [narghile: noun]
Example
He enjoyed smoking narghile with his friends on the weekends. [narghile: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hookah is more commonly used than narghile in everyday language, especially in Western countries. However, both words are understood to mean the same thing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hookah and narghile?
Narghile may be considered more formal than hookah, but both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.
